Old Sterling/Pearl Rough Rider knife

[Starr]

Hello, I am not a collector but am trying to find the value of an old folding pocket knife that was *reportedly* carried by an actual Rough Rider. There is no authentication. It has been in the family for about 65 years, and was appraised in 1974 - we know that amount but do not have the document. We'd like to sell this knife but have not been successful in trying to figure out what a fair price is... or where best to sell it. No luck finding a similar one on internet searches or several 'knife experts. Hope you can help. The knife is ornate 'carved' sterling silver on both ends and mother of pearl in the center of the case. Will appreciate any suggestions , thank you.
Edited to add info: ( silver portion 'carving' looks like a Teamsters logo to me..horse head, anchor, wheel.
The marking on the blades is hard to read some of the left-side letters. It appears to say ( top line): S.Wragg ( there might be a letter or two before the S)
next line: No 40
3rd line: Furnace Hill
last line is buried too deep into knife to read what it says, can only see a couple letters.
Will add photo shortly.l

Edit:Making some progress on internet now with the stamping info, I dont see much connection to any rough riders but it does appear to be an English knife made by Samuel Wragg. Hope to get photo posted this evening. Thanks again anyone, for any imput.

Edited again after adding photo: I couldnt get the stamping well but if you roll the wheel on your mouse it will enlarge it and you should be able to read some of i it clearly. Thx.

[tjmurphy]

Need pictures with close up of anything stamped on the blades. Sounds like a fruit knife though.

[Starr]

Thanks, I will get a photo posted.

[Starr]

Not having any luck focus ing on the tiny stamping. It is in an oval shape configuration and reads as I wrote above. here are a couple more photos

[Starr]

And one more view . I used Brasso on the stamping but it didn't do much. Should I also clean the blade and silver? havent been touched in decades.

[Miller Bro's]

DON`T CLEAN ANYTHING!

Unless you want to destroy the collector value of this knife

Very nice old knife

[Starr]

thanks for that info...I was going to shine it up nicely!!!! Will leave as-is.

[tjmurphy]

Could be a fruit knife. Goins lists S.C. Wragg - 1830-1850, Sheffield, England

[Sanders Knives]

I don't have the details and can't find much info but in the 80's Parker made some "Remakes" of a Wingfield Rowbotham & Co. Folding Bowie. It has the exact same Bolster as yours so I am sure yours has something to do with that company (Not Parker) and there is info out there somewhere about it (He obviously remade it out of seeing this pattern or one close to it).. Here is a picture of the one he remade under that name.. Looks like your Tang Stamp could be interpreted "S" Wingfield Rowbotham and Co... Just a thought for you to research... I could be wrong... Steve

[Starr]

Thanks for the reply. Mine is a "Furnace Hill" knife and clearly says S. Wragg so it doesnt appear to be the same. No space for the longer name you suggested. I appreciate the ideas.

[chetr1200c]

united also did remakes of those knives, in the fixed blade also.. of course that isnt yours. united is probably 15 yrs old.....very nice designs. good luck on your research

[Starr]

Online I found a book, Blade's Guide to Knives and their Value. I searched for Furnace Hill knives and S. Wragg. I found two nearly identical knives to what I have, But for whatever reason I am unable to copy and paste any individual part of that book.
The photos are on pg 211 "Named Jack Knife Patterns" and "Folding Bowies" pg 212, the last ( bottom) photo on 212 is exactly like mine except for the protective ( the projecting-out) part of the knife. It says NON-XLLL/UNWIN

Those two are valued at $8000 and up. Now, is that possible?

If anyone is willing to take a moment to find this I would sure like to have your comments . Especially where to sell knives. I am quite sure this is not a replica, as I said it has been in our family for 60+ years and was clearly not new then.

[chetr1200c]

i am sure yours is an original. you probably wont get 8k but it is worth some bucks,,,,lots o bucks. i would take it to an auction. you already had it appraised. ebay can be very finicky. people buy old beer cans for 10,000... sometimes they dont. same with everything.
it is still a very nice family hierloom
it is all up to you,, good luck

[jerryd6818]

I agree with Chet. Take the time to track down a good reputable auction that deals in knives (Don't look at me. I don't know one.). It will be well worth your time. Trouble with auction houses, they take a big bite out of your new found gains. Or you could spend a little to have it appraised by a self proclaimed knife expert (not mentioning any names) and advertise it yourself.